The 2010 passage of health care reform signaled a seismic shift in affairs between powerful stakeholders in the US health care industry. The Council on Public Policy is the ASHP’s lead body charged with addressing this changing landscape on behalf of its members and the patients they serve.
Alpine, Texas—May 6, 2010— Emily Alexander, CEO, Envision Telepharmacy, LLC, has been appointed to the Council on Public Policy of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Her term begins in June, 2010.
The Council’s role in guiding ASHP policy related to laws and regulations that have a bearing on pharmacy practice in hospitals and health care systems took on increased importance with the 2010 passage of health care reform (aka the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The act, along with subsequent enabling regulations, signals a seismic shift in affairs between the various and powerful stakeholders in the US health care industry—an industry that accounts for 17% of the nation’s GDP.
Within the Council’s purview are (1) federal laws and regulations, (2) state laws and regulations, (3) analysis of public policy proposals that are designed to address important health issues, (4) professional liability as defined by the courts, and (5) related matters.
In the recent past the Council has advocated the expansion of collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM); addressed increased regulatory oversight of medication supply chain integrity; advocated pharmacists be included in the emerging health care (medical) home model; and urged the development of model language dealing with emerging technologies, such as telepharmacy.
About Envision Telepharmacy, LLC
Envision Telepharmacy was established in 2004 to provide better ways to extend pharmacy services for hospitals and health care systems in need. It is a pioneer in developing tools, services and systems that provide electronic supervision and remote order processing through high-bandwidth, standards-based web technology, still imaging, and high resolution video. More information about Envision Telepharmacy, LLC can be found at http://www.envision-rx.com/
About American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
ASHP is a 35,000-member national professional association that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care and other components of health care systems. Its main office is in Bethesda, Md. More information about ASHP can be found at http://www.ashp.org/